Introduction: Handcycling is an excellent exercise for people with spinal cord injuries. However, some users experience barriers to transferring to the handcycle. The most common barriers are the height difference between the handcycle and sitting surface and dependence on others. Purpose: This thesis aims to develop an assistive technology to help users independently transfer in and out of a handcycle. Methods: The framework for the thesis is the double-diamond, guiding the designing of the products concepts. Users, professionals, and manufacturers were interviewed regarding the facilitators and barriers while transferring in and out of the handcycle and the product needs to help prevent the barriers. A content analysis was performed to find the facilitators and barriers, and a need analysis was performed to find the needs for the product. The needs were translated into target specifications to have measurable characteristics. Benchmarking was performed, and the products were evaluated in regard to the target specifications. The market segment, personas, mood board, and design brief served to inspire and inform the specifications for the product. Brainstorming and sketching were performed to generate four concepts. The participants evaluated these concepts, and the top-ranked concept was further developed. A computer-aided model was created and rendered to better illustrate the product. A guide on how to use the product was developed based on TAI 4.0, which also was used to find limitations in the transfer technique of the new product. An evaluation regarding the target specifications was also performed. Result: The final product concept allows height transfer and can be used independently. It fulfills seven out of the seventeen target specifications in the current state. However, six target specifications cannot be defined yet as they should be developed further in other iterations. Conclusion: A lifting device concept for transferring was developed. It would still need further iterations to keep improving the product before it would be able to be released for users.

Title: Changes in preparation exercises in handbike riders training Objectives: The aim of work is to collect and systematically process available information about sports discipline handbike and thereby expand knowledge about the theory and sport practice especially to persons with physical disabilities Methods: Implementation of data collection was accomplished through semi- structured interview (interview with instructions). Information gathering was carried out by one-time survey (testimony) of respondents. There was carried out repeated terrain inquiries of the respondents, followed by evaluation of statements. Results: Findings of this work form information about sports discipline known as handbike and allow insight into the issues of this sports industry. Primarily it deals with the material aspects and implementation of training program. Findings of this work can be used to popularize handbike discipline. Keywords: Sport for people with special needs, physical disability, handbike, handcycle, handicap, sports training.